Keeylocko to Host Third Music Festival—Bring a Tent

You don't need to go too far outside of Tucson proper to get a festival experience this weekend because on Saturday, May 16 eight bands will be taking over Cowtown Keeylocko to play together for a special one-night event.

Now in its third iteration and second year, Keeylocko aims to be "a celebration of the desert / Tucson / the weird," according to Algae and Tentacles' John Melillo. His band will be joined by other local acts including Ohioan, The Myrrors, Louise Le Hir, Hank Topless, Al Foul and Aroma. L.A.'s Tara Jane O'Neil will also be performing.

Melillo and Ohioan's Ryne Warner put on the events, which are organized in conjunction with Lightning Records. In an interview with the Tucson Weekly last year, Warner said the event seeks to put live music in a new setting and see what happens.

“The thing that really interests me that doesn’t get considered much is the context in which we experience music,” Warner says. “I get pretty worn out always going to bars to experience music in that context. It presents a monotonous mentality. I wish there was a different sort of communal experience happening.”

Like the past events, Saturday's Keeylocko festival will include the option of staying and camping at the venue, though attendees are encouraged to bring food and tents to make it happen. A cash-only bar will provide drinks for attendees as well.

The $8 event includes camping and it begins at 4 p.m. Cowtown Keeylocko is located at 12230 S. Coleman Road near Three Points.

Before you go, you can check out this video on Cowtown Keeylocko's founder Ed Keeylocko: